Minister of State, Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said while speaking at the event, “As you are aware, globally, TB currently ranks as the Ninth leading reason of death worldwide and also the leading explanation for death from a single infectious agent, ranking above HIV/AIDS ( WHO Global TB Report 2018).”
continuing further he also stated that “TB has turned many children to orphans, taken many bread winners away with severe consequences on the economy of families and also on the economy of the nation. This trend must not be allowed to continue”.
The minister informed that over the years, the NTBLCP through the support of several partners like WHO, Global Fund, has made big pace in the control of TB in the area of policy development, capacity building, enlargement of services and provision of quality care while addressing the necessity of vulnerable teams and the essential populations.
He conjointly emphasized that GF has committed a complete of US$ 245,997,701 to Tuberculosis Control Response in Nigeria since the beginning of its support to TB in 2005.
Dr. Ehanire acknowledged that “through this investment and together with alternative partners, the country has treated over one million Nigerians with Drug Resistant TB on quality treatment till date.”
“We will also work with the assorted levels of government, our partners and the private sector to mobilise further domestic resources to fill the present gap in TB funding”, he assured.
The minister pledged the commitment of the federal government to have appropriate monetary fund for the TB programme to attain the set targets within the grant and National TB Strategic Plan.
The permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Mr. Abdullaziz Abdullahi, stated that the federal government was glad to be a leading recipient of the grant. He conjointly assured of strict compliance to due process and transparency within the management of the funds.
